[ionad]

Okay, here's the deal:
Dell Desktop - Win 2000
Dell Laptop - Win XP
Powerbook G4 with Airport Extreme Card - OSX
SBC/YAHOO DSL currently hooked up to Desktop via Eithernet Cable.
Wireless internet access is the priority, but file and print sharing would also be nice. Since the Win 2000 Desktop is the main computer that will be conected to the router via eithernet, are we better off with a D-Link, Belkin, Linksys, etc, etc, wireless router?
I've seen more Mac's log onto PC networks than PCs log onto and Airport Network. My roommate (who has the mac) bought the Airport Extreme BaseStation (we havn't even opened it yet because we're not sure it will work). The Apple site is very confusing about the speeds if one computer is not using an Airport Extreme Card (but what if it's 802.11G?).
Anyway, just trying to look for some straight answers here... what's the best way to wirelesly network these three computers using the 802.11G protocal? Which Router, Which Card?
Thanks in advance for any suggetions.
Ben

[rockinphotog]

In reply to:

---

Wireless internet access is the priority, but file and print sharing would also be nice. Since the Win 2000 Desktop is the main computer that will be conected to the router via eithernet, are we better off with a D-Link, Belkin, Linksys, etc, etc, wireless router?

---

It doesn't matter what router you have. You can hook up to any of them via ethernet. The only difference is that the Airport Extreme basestation only has one Ethernet port. All the rest usually have 4.

In reply to:

---

The Apple site is very confusing about the speeds if one computer is not using an Airport Extreme Card (but what if it's 802.11G?).

---

Airport Extreme is 802.11g. So any 802.11g router or card should work the same. Every computer connected will drop down to 802.11b speed if there is even one user connected with an 802.11b card. The only thing I am unsure of is what happens if someone is hooked up directly via Ethernet. My guess would be nothing, but I could be wrong.
The Airport Extreme Basestation has a USB port to hook up a printer for print sharing, and any router will allow filesharing. The other thing I don't know is if a Windows machine can use the print sharing too.

[ionad]

Thanks Rockinphotog,
One of the spots the apple site is confusing is the print sharing... it does say that OSX is required (obviously for macs) but it says nothing about PCs... but I think that's a lost cause anyway 'cause the USB printer we have isn't listed in the compatable printers anyway....
What scares me about Apple's description of the AEBS is it's says any other card that is note an Airport Extreme will cause the network to run at the 802.11b protocal... Now, I wonder if they are using the term Airport Extreme interchangably with 802.11g?
I appreciate the concept of using just about any 802.11g wireless router... but I've seen dozens of post regarding connection problems with any number of cards and routers.
I guess I'm just looking for a straight answer. Belkin? D-Link? Linksys? AEBS? (as for the AEBS, you'd need a the mac to configure it {I hear mac has released a PC Admin Utility but it sounds a little fishy to me}) I guess it would just make sense to get a router than can be configured by the Win 2000 Desktop, since it doesn't go anywhere.
The two main things are wireless broadband access and file sharing, the printer thing would be an added perk.

[CTGURU]

ionad
Just bought a Belkin 54g PCI card for my PC. Should get it in a couple of days. I will keep you informed.
Also using 12"powerbook and extreme base station.

[rockinphotog]

If you decide to go with a different router for whatever reason, Linksys and Asante are my first choices. I have an Asante (not wireless) and they have great Mac Support (and obviously PC support, too).

[Philbert]

Apple's printer sharing isn't going to work with a PC. You would need a router with a print server function to share wireless printing on both platforms.
I have no experience with 802.11g, but my "b" network works flawlessly between two Macs and a WinXP machine. I can share files, an internet connection and a Laser Printer - all wirelessly. However, I'm using an SMC Barricade router which does include a print server. On both platforms, my Apple LaserWriter 360 is setup as an LPR printer. Whether or not this works for you really depends on the printer. (I believe the printer needs to support AppleTalk but I'm not sure.)
I would think everything you want to do, (with the exception of sharing a printer), will work fine for you with the Airport Extreme Base Station.
(In your situation, a work-around for sharing a printer between platforms is to connect the printer to the Mac with Airport and to the PC with parallel, if the printer supports it. Not completely wireless, but it should work ...)
Phil

[icerabbit]

Since you have pc's there should be no problem setting up a pc router with wireless access point built in - which will be a lot cheaper on sale than the airport base. Mac & PC co exist on the wireless network.
Speed wise even with 802.1g you will not be as fast with 100 ethernet - so for large files I would keep a cable handy. It's several times faster than 802.11b, but only half of ethernet.
If it mainly is for broadband internet access, then 802.11b is fine. It has more bandwith than the download caps ISPs have.
The access problems you mention are based on implementation of security problems and possible differences in network access info.
Tired off fiddling when printer sharing broke in one of the mac updates I've circumvented printer sharing problems alltogether with the longest usb printer cable out. Not pretty, but it'll do till the next update.
icerabbit

[CTGURU]

got belkin 54g card, pc and mac communncating over a wireless network. However as previously stated by another user can not print from pc